Author Archives: Paul Demko

In 2008, the Legislature took up a proposal to provide a $200 million subsidy to expand the Mall of America in Bloomington. The primary mechanism to pay for the project was to dip into the “fiscal disparities” pool, a revenue-sharing program that benefits parts of the state with less lucrative commercial property tax bases.

Preston Luman’s fledgling Sports Clip franchise was among 4,661 new business filings in September, according to statistics compiled by the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office. That’s an 11 percent increase over August and the highest level of business creation since May.

Minnesota and Wisconsin are on divergent paths when it comes to fiscal policy. Under Republican Gov. Scott Walker and a GOP-controlled assembly, Wisconsin cut taxes by nearly $1 billion this year, including a $650 million reduction in income taxes. The avowed goal was to make the state more attractive to businesses and bolster job growth.

A dozen conservative activists, including state Rep. Cindy Pugh, showed up at U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen's Eden Prairie office Thursday morning in an effort to speak with the third-term GOP congressman about Obamacare and the federal government shutdown.

More than three years after passage of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Minnesota’s health insurance exchange opened for business on Tuesday. The MNsure website had more than 100,000 visitors on opening day, and more than 500 people created accounts in just the first hour of operation.

The state's health insurance exchange, known as MNsure, is expected to open for business on Tuesday afternoon. But some key parts of the infrastructure designed to sign people up for coverage will not yet be functional.

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Former state Rep. Tom Emmer, who is seeking the GOP nomination in the 6th Congressional District, has filmed an advertisement for Integrity Exteriors and Remodelers. In the ad, Emmer touts his congressional candidacy and endorses the construction firm.

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GOP Reps. Brian Johnson and Nick Zerwas are raising concerns about plans to transfer six civilly committed sex offenders to a facility in Cambridge. In a letter to Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner Lucinda Jesson, the legislators questioned whether the plan will endanger the public.

St. Louis County Commissioner Chris Dahlberg has joined the field of GOP contenders seeking to oust U.S. Sen. Al Franken in 2014. There are now six candidates looking to secure the Republican nomination.